WO2006086318A2 - Safety shield for use with different diameter racking rods and an adaptor for use therewith - Google Patents
Safety shield for use with different diameter racking rods and an adaptor for use therewith Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006086318A2 WO2006086318A2 PCT/US2006/004142 US2006004142W WO2006086318A2 WO 2006086318 A2 WO2006086318 A2 WO 2006086318A2 US 2006004142 W US2006004142 W US 2006004142W WO 2006086318 A2 WO2006086318 A2 WO 2006086318A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- adaptor
- protective shield
- collar
- rod
- clamping
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B3/00—Apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture, assembly, or maintenance of boards or switchgear
Definitions
- the invention relates to a protective safety shield for use in the electrical industry. More particularly, the invention relates to a safety shield that may be clamped to different diameter racking rods and can be used to protect workers from electrical arcs, flashes and fragmentation explosions which can occur while opening and closing circuit breakers.
- Tripping and resetting electrical circuit breakers can pose a serious threat of injury to electrical workers because of the potential risk of the occurrence of electrical arcs, electric flashes and fragmentation explosions. These arcs, flashes or explosions are capable of causing electrical bums, molten metal burns and flesh wounds caused by flying debris.
- Circuit breakers are typically mounted in a protective cabinet.
- the worker In order to perform routine maintenance and repair, the worker has to open the cabinet and, using a racking rod, shift the breakers either vertically or horizontally in order to disconnect them from the power source. The breakers are then removed from the cabinet and the necessary maintenance or repair is performed. When the work is completed, the breakers are replaced in the cabinet and then, using the racking rod, are moved either vertically or horizontally back into connection with the power source. Both the tripping and resetting require the worker to be located close enough to reach the cabinet with the racking rod and this puts them at risk because the circuit is energized when it is tripped and become energized when it is being reset.
- the shield protects the worker from electrical arcs, electrical flashes and fragmentation explosions and from objects and debris produced during the pulling of pad-mounted switches, the insertion of fuses into overhead transformers or numerous other applications.
- This shield includes a plate formed of a transparent material and a clamping means for removably mounting the plate to the hot stick.
- the hot sticks used in conjunction with the device proposed by this patent are long and of a fairly large diameter. They are therefore not suitable for opening breaker circuits in more cramped quarters. Tripping and resetting breakers requires the use of racking rods and depending on the application, racking rods of different diameters may need to be utilized. All of these racking rods are significantly smaller in diameter than the hot sticks used for working on overhead lines.
- the device of the present invention comprises a protective shield that may be secured to an electrical racking rod of the type used for performing electrical work on various types of energized electrical equipment.
- the protective shield comprises a transparent plate formed of an impact resistant, fire retardant material; a clamping mechanism secured to the plate and at least one adaptor engageable by the clamping mechanism for securing the racking rod to the plate.
- the plate includes an opening through which the racking rod is passed.
- the adapter has a collar which can pass through the opening and a shoulder which cannot pass through the opening.
- the adapter further includes an internal axial bore within which a section of the racking rod is retained.
- the clamping mechanism engages the collar of the adaptor and holds it in such a position that the plate is disposed between the clamping mechanism and the shoulder of the adaptor.
- the adaptor holds the racking rod in such a position that it lies substantially right angles to the plate.
- a secondary shield may be mounted to the clamping mechanism to protect that portion of the adaptor that extends through the opening.
- a plurality of adaptors may be provided to enable the plate to be utilized with any one of a plurality of different diameter racking rods.
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a worker using the protective shield in accordance with the present invention
- Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of a safety shield in accordance with the present invention and showing an adaptor and connected racking rod being inserted through the opening in the shield;
- Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adaptor of the present invention being positioned around a racking rod;
- Fig. 3A is a side view of the adaptor in accordance with the present invention and engaged with the racking rod;
- Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the safety shield engaged with an adaptor and its connected racking rod;
- Fig. 5 is a frontal fragmentary view of the protective shield of Fig. 3 showing the clamping mechanism is an open position;
- Fig. 6 is a frontal fragmentary view of the protective shield of Fig. 4 showing the clamping mechanism engaged with the adaptor; and Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional front view through the adaptor when engaged with the racking rod.
- Shield 10 includes a plate 12, preferably formed from a transparent, flame-retardant plastic material such as polycarbonate, and a clamping mechanism 20 for engaging a racking rod 16 as will be described hereafter.
- Plate 12 preferably is formed with a central opening 14 therein through which racking rod 16 is inserted.
- Clamping mechanism 20 locks racking rod 16 to shield in such a manner that a portion of the rod extends outwardly from either side of plate 12.
- Opening 14 may include a slot 18 (Fig. 2) that allows rod 16 to be more easily inserted through opening 14.
- Clamping mechanism 20 is mounted on plate 12 by fastening bolts 28 and associated nuts 30 and washers.
- Clamping mechanism 20 includes a base 22 that is secured to plate 12, a bolt arm 24 and clamp arm 26 that is pivotally mounted on base 22. Clamp arm 26 is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. When clamp arm 26 is in the open position, racking rod 16 may be moved relative to shield 10. When the clamp arm is in the closed position, racking rod 16 is locked within clamping mechanism 20 and is prevented from moving relative to shield 10. Clamping mechanism 20 is designed to clamp around racking rod 16 so that rod 16 lies in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to plate 12 (Fig. 1 ). The structure and functioning of clamping mechanism 20 is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,666,253, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- an adaptor 32 is provided to enable clamping mechanism 20 to tightly engage a racking rod 16 that has a diameter which is significantly smaller than the diameter of opening 14.
- Adaptor 32 comprises a collar 44, which has a diameter smaller than that of opening 14 and can therefore pass through opening 14; and a shoulder 46 that is concentric with collar 44 and extends outwardly away from collar 44. Shoulder 46 has a greater diameter than that of opening 14 and consequently shoulder 46 of adaptor 32 cannot pass through opening 14.
- Adaptor 32 is provided with an axial bore 56 (Fig. 5) through which rod 16 is inserted. Bore 56 preferably is substantially equal in diameter to rod 16 so that adaptor 32 tightly engages rod 16. Clamping mechanism 20 engages collar 44 of adaptor 32 and thereby retains rod 16 in locking engagement with shield 10.
- adaptor 32 preferably is comprised of first and second clamping members 34, 36 that are releasably secured together.
- First clamping member 34 comprises a generally C-shaped collar section 44a with a shoulder section 46a extending outwardly away from collar section 44a.
- Collar section 44a has an arcuate outer wall 60 and a substantially planar wall 62 having a semi-circular channel 56a formed therein.
- Shoulder section 46a extends outwardly from outer wall 60.
- Second clamping member 36 comprises a generally C-shaped collar section 44b with a shoulder section 46b extending outwardly away from therefrom.
- Collar section 44b has an arcuate outer wall 52 and a substantially planar wall 54 having a semi-circular channel 56b formed therein. Shoulder section 46b extends outwardly away from outer wall 52 of collar section 44b. When first and second clamping members 34, 36 are secured together, planar walls 62 and 54 are disposed in abutting contact with each other. Collar sections 44a and 44b form the adaptor's collar 44; the shoulder sections 46a and 46b form the adaptor's shoulder 46 and channels 56a and 56b together form the axial bore 56 of adaptor 32.
- Adaptor 32 is therefore a substantially tubular member having a central axial bore 56 for receiving racking rod 16 therethrough and having a circumferential shoulder 46 radiating outwardly away from the outer wall of the collar section 44 to prevent the rod 16 and adaptor 32 from passing through opening 14 in plate 12.
- the adaptor 32 has a first end 48 which constitutes an end wall of collar 44; and a second end 50 which constitutes an end wall of shoulder 46.
- adaptor 32 has a total length A-A' of around 2Vs inches, collar 44 is about 2 inches long and shoulder 46 has a length B-B' of about Vs inch.
- the radius C-C of each of the collar sections 44a, 44b is smaller than the radius D-D' of each of the shoulder sections 46a, 46b.
- the diameter E-E' of shoulder 46 is about 2 5/16 inches and the diameter F-F' of collar 44 is about VA inches.
- First and second clamping members 34, 36 are adapted to be positioned around the circumferential outer wall of racking rod 16 so that rod 16 is received within the bore 56 formed by channels 56a and 56b.
- First and second clamping members 34, 36 are locked together around rod 16 by a plurality of fasteners 38.
- Fasteners 38 are inserted through apertures 40 in first clamping member 34 and screwed into aligned threaded screw holes 42 in second clamping member 36.
- Rod 16 is thereby clamped between first and second clamping members 34, 36 so that it cannot slide longitudinally within bore 56.
- Adaptor 32 and rod 16 therefore move as if they were a unitary member. It will be understood that any other type of suitable securing mechanism could be used on adaptor 32 to securely lock rod 16 therein.
- adaptor 32 is used to connect shield 10 and racking rod 16 in the following manner. If racking rod 16 has a diameter of 5/8 inch for example, then an appropriately sized adaptor 32 (i.e., an adaptor having a bore 56 of slightly more than 5/8 inch) is utilized. Second clamping member 36 of adaptor 32 is positioned to receive rod 16 in channel 56b. First clamping member 34 is placed over second clamping member 36 so that rod 16 is received in channel 56a and planar walls 54 and 62 abut each other. Fasteners 38 are inserted through apertures 40 in first clamping member 34 and into internally threaded holes 42 in second clamping member 36.
- Fasteners 38 are screwed into holes 42 until first and second clamping members 34, 36 cannot be separated from each other and rod 16 is substantially prevented from sliding longitudinally through bore 56. At this point, racking rod 16 is sufficiently securely held between first and second clamping members 34, 36 so that rod 16 cannot be withdrawn therefrom.
- a free end (not shown) of racking rod 16 is inserted through opening 14 in shield 10 and rod 16 is passed through opening 14 until collar 44 of adaptor 32 lies within opening 14 and shoulder 46 abuts plate 12 of shield 10. Clamping mechanism 20 is then engaged to secure adaptor 32 to shield
- Base 22 of clamping mechanism 20 has a V-shaped configuration (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) formed by a pair of outwardly extending angled legs 22a and 22b which join together at a curved corner 22c.
- a U-shaped recess 64 is formed in curved comer 22c, and extends throughout the width of base 22.
- Arcuate clamping surfaces 66 are formed on each of the base legs adjacent recess 64. Surfaces 66 are adapted to engage with collar 44 of adaptor 32.
- the outer ends of legs 22a and 22b are each formed with a central recess (not shown) through which bolts 28 are passed to secure bolt arm 24 and clamp arm 26 thereto. Arms 24, 26 can be pivoted between an open position (Fig. 2) and closed position (Fig.4) and in a plane substantially parallel to that of plate 12.
- a rocker shoe 68 is pivotally attached to clamp arm 26 by a bolt 70.
- Rocker shoe 68 pivots in the same plane as clamp arm 26 with respect to plate 12.
- Rocker shoe 68 has a generally triangular shape with a concave shaped outer surface 72.
- a secondary shield 74 is preferably attached to rocker shoe 68 and is disposed between the rocker shoe and plate 12. Secondary shield 74 is fastened to rocker shoe 68 by bolt 70. Shield 74 preferably is formed with a U-shaped opening 76 for receiving a portion of the collar 44 of adaptor 32 therein when adaptor 32 is inserted through opening 14. The secondary shield 74 is shaped and sized to cover portions of opening 14, such as slot 18 and the annular area between adaptor 32 and the periphery of opening 14. The interior surface of shoulder 46 abuts the surface of secondary shield 74 and aids in preventing adaptor 32 from being drawn through opening 14. Secondary shield 74 is automatically positioned around a portion of adaptor 32 when clamp arm 26 is pivoted into a closed and clamped position.
- a yoke 80 is provided at the second end of clamp arm 26, for engaging bolt arm 24 when clamping mechanism 20 is moved into a closed position.
- a fastener 82 such as a wing nut, is adjustably mounted on a threaded portion of bolt arm 24.
- fastener 82 is rotated so as to engage yoke 80 and thereby secure arm 26 in its closed and locked position.
- fastener 82 is tightened, concave surface 72 of rocker shoe 68 is pressed firmly against adaptor 32 as described above and therefore adaptor 32, and therefore rod 16 are locked into engagement with shield 10.
- a plurality of racking rods of different diameters can be connected to shield 10 by utilizing a plurality of different adaptors.
- Each of the adaptors will preferably have a collar 44 of diameter F-F' and a shoulder
- adaptors 32 will be manufactured having an interior bore 56 with a diameter of substantially ⁇ A inch, % inch, 1 inch etc. These adaptors are designed to respectively receive rods 16 having diameters of substantially VT. inch, % inch, 1 inch diameter etc. The worker would simply select the appropriate racking rod for the job and then select the appropriate adaptor for use with that racking rod and the shield. If a different diameter racking rod is needed, the first adaptor and racking rod are removed and a second diameter racking rod and the appropriate adaptor are engaged with the shield. For ease of use, the appropriate adaptor may be kept permanently attached to the complementary sized racking rod.
- the protective shield 10 can be removed easily from the racking rod 16 by disengaging rod from clamping mechanism 20. Shield 10 can then be stored and carried in a protective carrying case.
- the protective shield of the present invention provides a relatively simple and inexpensive, yet highly efficient and effective device, which is readily mounted on and removed from various diameter racking rods to protect a worker from electrical arcs, flashes and fragmentary explosions, and in which the shield can be easily removed and placed in a convenient protective storage case and provides the user with protection without restricting his mobility while utilizing the device the invention.
- the device of the present invention is indicated as being used on a racking rod, it is readily understood to anyone skilled in the art that the device can be used on other types of rods or similar devices for actuating other types of equipment where protection is desired, such as the turning of a valve or other equipment, where injury could occur to the individual, other than with electrical equipment.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2006212919A AU2006212919B2 (en) | 2005-02-08 | 2006-02-07 | Safety shield for use with different diameter racking rods and an adaptor for use therewith |
CA002597178A CA2597178A1 (en) | 2005-02-08 | 2006-02-07 | Safety shield for use with different diameter racking rods and an adaptor for use therewith |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US65089905P | 2005-02-08 | 2005-02-08 | |
US60/650,899 | 2005-02-08 | ||
US11/343,103 US7428131B2 (en) | 2005-02-08 | 2006-01-30 | Safety shield for use with different diameter racking rods and an adaptor for use therewith |
US11/343,103 | 2006-01-30 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006086318A2 true WO2006086318A2 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
WO2006086318A3 WO2006086318A3 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
Family
ID=36779683
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2006/004142 WO2006086318A2 (en) | 2005-02-08 | 2006-02-07 | Safety shield for use with different diameter racking rods and an adaptor for use therewith |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7428131B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006212919B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2597178A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006086318A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2432462C (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2012-09-04 | Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board | Safety devices for insulative tools |
US8517757B1 (en) | 2010-09-28 | 2013-08-27 | Thomas A. Unger | Operating fuse deflector and method of use |
US20120186847A1 (en) * | 2011-01-21 | 2012-07-26 | Paul Martin | Shield for inspecting electrical panels |
CA2776761C (en) * | 2011-05-12 | 2019-07-16 | Cantega Technologies Inc. | Tool and method for handling a part |
US9530582B2 (en) | 2014-12-11 | 2016-12-27 | Jones Lang Lasalle Ip, Inc. | Energized parts guard |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1994938A (en) * | 1933-10-05 | 1935-03-19 | Perry J Bott | Safety attachment for fuse pullers |
US5666253A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-09-09 | Gary Guard, Inc. | Protective shield for electrical hot stick |
Family Cites Families (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US1147425A (en) * | 1914-06-27 | 1915-07-20 | Otto Ojala | Clothes-lifter. |
US1353552A (en) * | 1919-09-18 | 1920-09-21 | Alvin H Sweet | Windshield attachment for autovehicles |
US1453685A (en) * | 1922-04-10 | 1923-05-01 | Charles A Longenbaugh | Shield for motor vehicles |
US1674538A (en) * | 1926-05-20 | 1928-06-19 | Williams Winfield | Glare shield |
US2382147A (en) * | 1944-11-21 | 1945-08-14 | John Stelnicki | Combined eye shield and guard |
US2694330A (en) * | 1953-08-10 | 1954-11-16 | James R Davies | Safety wrench for radiator caps |
US3100253A (en) * | 1958-10-07 | 1963-08-06 | Satec Corp | Temperature control system for specimen testing |
US3193017A (en) * | 1965-02-09 | 1965-07-06 | Charles F Walker | Portable fire shield |
US3336651A (en) * | 1965-07-12 | 1967-08-22 | Jeunesse Francis C La | Tube inserter |
US3866965A (en) * | 1974-01-14 | 1975-02-18 | Howard A Homeier | Hot stick attachment |
US4230357A (en) * | 1979-01-05 | 1980-10-28 | A. B. Chance Company | Tool for manual relocation of electrical cables |
US4461423A (en) * | 1981-06-22 | 1984-07-24 | J. C. Davis | Sprinkler shield |
US4397491A (en) * | 1981-07-30 | 1983-08-09 | Anderson Gordon H | Portable vacuum object handling device |
US4453562A (en) * | 1982-09-16 | 1984-06-12 | Topline Products, Inc. | Rain shield for insulated pipe installations |
CA1274868C (en) * | 1985-06-28 | 1990-10-02 | Philip Blois Andrew | Fuse fault protector |
US5024405A (en) * | 1989-05-12 | 1991-06-18 | Mcguire Robert H | Pipe clamp |
US5453587A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-09-26 | Gulf States Utilities Company | Transportable remotely actuated racking device for use with high voltage industrial circuit breakers |
US5477017A (en) * | 1994-03-15 | 1995-12-19 | Square D Company | Electric racking device for racking circuit breakers into switchgear |
US6210206B1 (en) * | 1999-08-03 | 2001-04-03 | Roland G. Durham | Safety shield spiking tool and method for spiking high voltage power lines |
DE10003064C2 (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2002-06-27 | Wacker Werke Kg | Tool with an electrical consumer and a protective device |
US6336599B1 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2002-01-08 | Randall M. Herr | Sprinkler spray shield |
US6478589B2 (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2002-11-12 | Ekstrom Industries, Inc. | Electrical service apparatus safety shield with wire guides |
-
2006
- 2006-01-30 US US11/343,103 patent/US7428131B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-02-07 AU AU2006212919A patent/AU2006212919B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-02-07 CA CA002597178A patent/CA2597178A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-02-07 WO PCT/US2006/004142 patent/WO2006086318A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1994938A (en) * | 1933-10-05 | 1935-03-19 | Perry J Bott | Safety attachment for fuse pullers |
US5666253A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-09-09 | Gary Guard, Inc. | Protective shield for electrical hot stick |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2597178A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
AU2006212919B2 (en) | 2010-01-07 |
AU2006212919A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
WO2006086318A3 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
US20060176623A1 (en) | 2006-08-10 |
US7428131B2 (en) | 2008-09-23 |
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